I would expect fairly soon the cars to have an ad-hoc networking system, so they could communicate. This would facilitate the road trains, driving 100mph nose to tail, and also could be used to ensure even flow in busy lanes. Also, the cars could determine which had been waiting longest and give that one priority. But I agree that if all people act like dicks then the cars just won’t move!

I’m all in favour of autonomous cars (with the ability to take control on nice open roads). Stuck in traffic on a commute is an awful time sink. Sleeping, watching a movie, making some knuckle children or furiously catching up on work you’ve said you’ve already done would all be possible. What’s not to like?
Given the state of our roads now and the likelihood that congestion will just keep getting worse given the govts reluctance to invest in infrastructure it seems like a no brainer.